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JP3927378B2 - Article management system using interrogator - Google Patents

Article management system using interrogator Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3927378B2
JP3927378B2 JP2001152027A JP2001152027A JP3927378B2 JP 3927378 B2 JP3927378 B2 JP 3927378B2 JP 2001152027 A JP2001152027 A JP 2001152027A JP 2001152027 A JP2001152027 A JP 2001152027A JP 3927378 B2 JP3927378 B2 JP 3927378B2
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Prior art keywords
frequency signal
antenna
interrogator
antennas
responders
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JP2002344228A (en
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武志 齋藤
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Hitachi Ltd
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Hitachi Ltd
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems
    • H01Q1/2216—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems used in interrogator/reader equipment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10316—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers
    • G06K7/10336—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10316—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers
    • G06K7/10346—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/24—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/30—Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、マイクロ波帯の高周波信号を使って応答器と情報交換を行なう質問器、特に多くの応答器と高周波信号の授受を行なうのに好適なアンテナを備えた質問器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
移動体識別装置（無線による識別システム）は、質問器とこれに対応する複数の応答器から成る系を構成するもので、質問器は、電池を持たない応答器にマイクロ波帯（準マイクロ波を含む）の高周波信号をアンテナから放射して応答器と情報交換を行なう。応答器は、小さいアンテナで質問器からの高周波信号を受け、これを整流して直流電源を得ると共に、クロックやデータなどの情報を取り出し、データに応じて、メモリの情報を上記の小さいアンテナから質問器に返す。
【０００３】
情報交換によって、例えば、応答器毎に異なる識別番号の識別が行なわれる。その場合、応答器を荷物のようなものに貼り付けておくと、ベルトコンベアに乗った荷物を人手を介さずに識別するシステムが実現する（例えば国際公開ＷＯ９８／２１６９１号公報参照）。
【０００４】
ここで、質問器と応答器の間の情報交換が可能な通信距離は、応答器の能力及び形状・大きさが一定の場合、質問器が生成する送信信号の電力とアンテナにより決定される。アンテナが例えば多数のアンテナ素子を合成して構成するフェーズドアレイアンテナであれば、通信距離を長くとることができ、単一素子アンテナであれば、アンテナの近傍領域に通信範囲が限定されるなど、質問器のアンテナの構造により通信領域が限定される。例えば、改札に応答器を用いた装置の例では、進行波型のアンテナが使用され、応答器が１台づつ識別される（実開平２−３２１７４号公報参照）。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
単一の質問器でできるだけ多くの応答器との通信を確保することが求められる場合には、応答器を通信領域内に多く配置することができる質問器のアンテナ形態が必要となる。
【０００６】
しかし、準マイクロ波帯などの周波数帯では、質問器から放射される電波及び応答器から放射される電波の空間における位相合成により、電波の強弱が現れることが多く、広範囲にわたって一様な放射電磁界を実現することが難しい。更に、複数の応答器を互に接近して配置した場合には、アンテナ間の相互の結合により放射特性が乱れてアンテナ特性が劣化し、応答器が必要とする電力を得ることが難しくなる。
【０００７】
本発明の目的は、アンテナ素子の近傍に集中して強くかつ均一の電磁界エネルギーを確保することにより短い通信距離において多数の応答器を配置することを可能にするアンテナを備えた質問器及びそれを用いた物品管理システムを提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の前記課題は、同軸ケーブルの一方の端部に同軸ケーブルの心線導体と連続した１／４波長（空間波長）の長さのモノポール（１本の棒状導体）を設けると共に、他方の端部に給電点を設け、給電点において接地をとる同軸励振形モノポールアンテナを質問器に備えることによって効果的に解決することが可能である。このような構造のアンテナを採用すれば、同軸ケーブルの外導体に電磁界が発生するため、同軸ケーブル部分を数波長分の長さにするとその部分がアンテナとして機能し、従って、同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの開放端から数波長にわたる長さの領域に応答器を複数個配置することが可能になるからである。
【０００９】
まず、同軸励振形モノポールアンテナの一般的な特性を説明する。図１に同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの基本構成を示す。該アンテナは、心線導体１と誘電体３と外導体２とを有する同軸ケーブルの開放端から心線導体１を空間波長の１／４波長ほど延ばしたモノポールによって構成され、信号源５によって励振される。そして、理想的に無限大の接地面４が開放端を含んでモノポールアンテナに垂直に形成される。
【００１０】
このような構成のモノポールアンテナから発生する電波は、図２に示すように、モノポール１と接地面４との間で電圧分布Ｖ、電流分布Ｃ１及び放射パターンＰを持つ。放射パターンＰは、モノポールアンテナ１の対称位置に生じる。
【００１１】
ここで、図３に示すように、給電点１４で接地をとるようにして接地を限定すると、接地面が給電点１４に移り、アンテナ上の電圧分布、電流分布が変わる。信号源５からの信号は、同軸ケーブルにより伝達されてモノポール１部分で信号源の周波数で共振し電波を放射する。このとき、同軸ケーブルの外導体２に電圧或いは電流が励起されて、図４に示すような電流分布Ｃ２が形成される。図４は、図３のアンテナを等価的に表したものである。図１のモノポールアンテナでは１／４波長相当部分のみがアンテナとして機能したが、図３の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナでは、同軸ケーブルの外導体２の部分に電圧或いは電流分布が生じ、外導体２からも電波が放射されるようになる。即ち、モノポール部分と同軸ケーブル部分とによる全体がアンテナとなる。本発明では、図３に示す同軸励振型モノポールアンテナを採用する。
【００１２】
このようにして、図３に示した同軸励振型モノポールアンテナでは、モノポール部分及び同軸ケーブル部分の近傍に集中して強くかつ均一の電磁界エネルギーが確保される。そして、その領域に多数の応答器を配置することが可能になる。即ち、応答器のアンテナ特性が劣化していても、電磁界分布の強弱に異差があっても、アンテナの素子近傍であれば、強い電磁界が得られるので、広範囲にわたって個々の応答器が必要とする電磁界エネルギーを確保することが可能になる。
【００１３】
なお、図３に示したアンテナによって放射される電波は、同軸の全周方向に放射されるために、マイクロ波帯で使用する場合、アンテナを数ｍｍ以下の薄い誘電体層（フィルムなど）を介して、接地導体板に接近させて配置し、接地導体板側に放射される電波を、接地導体板により反射して、接地導体板と反対側に放射するように構成することが効果的である。その結果、応答器に供給される電磁界エネルギを高めることができる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る質問器及びそれを用いた物品管理システムを図面に示した幾つかの発明の実施の形態を参照して更に詳細に説明する。
【００１５】
複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナを切替器で切り替えて使用し、１個のアンテナの近傍に複数の応答器を配置して全体として多数の応答器を処理するようにした質問器の第１の発明の実施の形態を図５に示す。図５ａ、図５ｂは、それぞれ平面図、側面図である。図５において、１６ａ〜１６ｅは図３に示した同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ、１１３は質問器本体、１１１は、入出力端子１１２を経た質問器本体１１３からの高周波信号をアンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅに供給する高周波信号線路、１７ａ〜１７ｅは、各アンテナと高周波信号線路１１１との接続を切り替える高周波信号切替器である。各アンテナは、給電点で外導体が接地される。更に、１９は、アンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅを埋め込んで固定する誘電体板、１８は、誘電体板１９の裏面に貼り付けた接地導体板である。以上の構造により質問器本体１１３に設ける質問器アンテナが形成される。
【００１６】
また、図５の１１０は、誘電体板１９の表面にアンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅに極く接近して配置した応答器群である。個々の応答器は、細長い平面形状の短冊形を成し、実際には例えば在庫管理する物品の側面に貼り付けて用いられるが、図５では、物品の図示を省略すると共に、管理する物品の全数を配置した場合の短冊形応答器の置かれる様子を示している。
【００１７】
個々の短冊形応答器には、コイル状のアンテナとＩＣチップが搭載される。ＩＣチップには、アンテナからの高周波信号を整流して直流電圧を生成する整流回路、該高周波信号からクロックやデータなどの情報を取り出す受信回路、自身の識別番号等の情報を記録するメモリ、受信したデータに応じて、メモリの情報を受信高周波信号を使って送信する送信回路が含まれる。
【００１８】
また、質問器本体１１３は、質問するためのデータを変調して高周波信号にする送信回路及び応答器からの送信信号を受信して情報を取り出す受信回路を有している。
【００１９】
アンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅは、誘電体板１９の中に配置され、応答器群１１０に対して電気的、機械的に直接接触しない程度に距離が保たれる。
【００２０】
接地導体板１８は、アンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅに接近して置かれ、応答器群１１０が配置される側と反対側に放射される該アンテナからの電波を応答器群１１０側に反射させて供給電力を高めるように作用する。
【００２１】
図５に示すように、アンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅは、誘電体板１９に対して角度を持って配置される。このような角度を持つことにより、各応答器のアンテナが直線偏波を持つ場合、アンテナ１６ａ〜１６ｅの直線偏波の振動面（該アンテナの長手方向）に対して応答器アンテナの直線偏波の振動面が近づき、高周波信号のやり取りに使う電力をより高めることができる。
【００２２】
各応答器のアンテナが特に短冊形の長手方向に直線偏波の振動面を持つ場合は、その振動面を同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの長手方向の振動面に一致させることにより、最大の効率で信号のやり取りをすることができる。しかし、一個の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナに対して、通信することができる応答器の数が少なくなるために、同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの配置を図５のように角度を持たせ、若干の効率低下があっても応答器数を増大させることが効果的となる。
【００２３】
本実施形態により、多数の応答器を配置することを可能にするアンテナを備えた質問器を実現することができる。
【００２４】
同軸励振型モノポールアンテナを誘電体板の長手方向に並行に配置した第２の発明の実施の形態を図６に示す。図６ａ、図６ｂは、それぞれ平面図、側面図である。図６において、２６ａ〜２６ｅは、誘電体板２９の長手方向に並行に配置した同軸励振型モノポールアンテナである。その他の構造は、第１の実施形態と同様である。即ち、アンテナ２６ａ〜２６ｅ、高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅ、高周波信号線路２１１、高周波信号入出力端子２１２及び接地導体板２８により質問器アンテナが形成され、応答器群２１０がアンテナ２６ａ〜２６ｅに極く接近して配置される。なお、質問器本体の図示を省略した。
【００２５】
第２の実施形態では、短冊形の応答器のアンテナの振動方向と直角方向に振動面を持つようにアンテナ２６ａ〜２６ｅが配置される。応答器と同軸励振型アンテナの振動方向が直交することで同軸励振型アンテナと応答器アンテナのインピーダンス結合が弱くなり、供給される電力が弱まるが、逆に相互に負荷とはなりにくく、互いの距離を最適にすることにより、多くの応答器と通信可能な同軸励振型アンテナを有する質問器を実現することができる。
【００２６】
電力分配のための高周波信号線路が短くなるように同軸励振型アンテナを配置した第３の発明の実施の形態を図７に示す。図７ａ、図７ｂは、それぞれ平面図、側面図である。高周波信号線路を短くすることにより、発生する高周波信号の損失を少なくすることができる。
【００２７】
図７において、３６ａ〜３６ｅは、誘電体板３９の長手方向に並行に互いに向きを変えて配置した同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ、３１１は、そのように配置した各アンテナに高周波信号を送る高周波信号線路、３１２は、高周波信号線路３１１のほぼ中央に配置した高周波信号入出力端子である。その他の構造は、第２の実施形態と同様である。即ち、アンテナ３６ａ〜３６ｅ、高周波信号切替器３７ａ〜３７ｅ、高周波信号線路３１１、高周波信号入出力端子３１２及び接地導体板３８により質問器アンテナが形成され、応答器群３１０がアンテナ３６ａ〜３６ｅに極く接近して配置される。なお、質問器本体の図示を省略した。
【００２８】
第３の実施形態には、アンテナ３６ａ〜３６ｅの向きを変えて配置することにより、高周波信号線路３１１の長さを短くして高周波信号線路で発生する高周波信号の損失を少くできると同時に、高周波信号切替器３７ａと３７ｂ及び３７ｃと３７ｄをそれぞれ同一ＩＣパッケージ内に構成することができるなどの利点がある。
【００２９】
第１、第２又は第３の実施形態の質問器アンテナを並列接続して構成した第４の発明の実施の形態を図８に示す。図８において、６５、６６、６７は、図５〜図７のいずれかに示した質問器アンテナ（以下では、これを「アンテナ群」ということとする）、６８は高周波信号線路、６９は本実施形態の質問器アンテナの高周波信号入出力端子である。本実施形態の質問器アンテナでは、図５〜図７のいずれかに示したアンテナ群を複数用いるようにした分、処理することができる応答器の数を更に多くすることができる。
【００３０】
なお、並列接続数を多くすることによって高周波信号線路６８が長くなり、高周波損失が増大するが、質問器本体の高周波信号の出力電力が大きい場合、或いは各応答器の受信感度が高い場合、許容可能な高周波損失が大となり、並列接続数は図８の３個に制限することなく、更に増やすことが可能になる。
【００３１】
アンテナ群毎に高周波信号切替器を設けた第５の発明の実施の形態を図９に示す。図９において、７０〜７７は、図５〜図７のいずれかに示したアンテナ群、ＡＮＴｋ０〜ＡＮＴｋ７（ｋ＝０〜７）は、アンテナ群７ｋが有する同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ、ａ０〜ａ７は、各同軸励振型モノポールアンテナに設けた高周波信号切替器、ｂ０〜ｂ７は、それぞれアンテナ群７０〜７７に設けた高周波信号切替器、７８は、高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７に高周波信号を供給する高周波信号線路、７９は、高周波信号切替器ａ０〜ａ７及び高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７の接続／切断を制御する高周波信号線路制御器、８０は、本実施形態の質問器アンテナの高周波信号入出力端子を示す。
【００３２】
本実施形態の質問器アンテナにおいては、合計６４個の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナが用いられ、高周波信号切替器ａ０〜ａ７及び高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７の動作によってその内の１個が選択され、高周波信号線路７８に接続される。
【００３３】
本実施形態では、各アンテナ群が高周波信号切替器を備えるので、第４の実施形態の場合に比べて質問器本体の負荷が軽減され、多数のアンテナ群を設けることが可能になる。従って、処理することができる応答器の数を大幅に多くすることができる。
【００３４】
高周波信号線路制御器７９の一例を図１０に示す。各高周波信号切替器となるアンテナ切替回路やその周辺の回路は、アンテナ近くに置かれるので、切り替えの制御信号や各回路を駆動するための電源電圧は、１本の高周波信号線路に高周波信号と同時に送られることが望ましい。図１０の制御器７９は、そのような観点に基づいて構成したものである。
【００３５】
図１０において、９８は高周波信号入出力端子９８からの高周波信号に、電源端子９０からの直流電圧と制御端子９１からの制御信号を重畳する切替信号重畳回路、９２は伝送線路である。更に、９３は、伝送線路９２より送られてくる信号から、高周波信号、制御信号及び電源電圧を分離する切替信号分離回路、９４は、切替信号分離回路９３が分離した電源電圧から不要な高周波成分を除くローパスフィルタ、９５は、切替信号分離回路９３が分離した制御信号を基に高周波信号切替器ａ０〜ａ７及び高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７への切替信号を生成する切替信号発生回路、９６は、切替器ａ０〜ａ７及びｂ０〜ｂ７となるアンテナ切替回路である。
【００３６】
切替信号発生回路９５及びアンテナ切替回路９６への電源電圧はローパスフィルタ９４から供給される。切り替えられるアンテナの高周波信号の入出力は、高周波信号入出力端子９７を介して行なわれる。切り替えにより、質問器アンテナの内の一つの同軸励振型モノポールアンテナのみが選択的に高周波信号線路７８（伝送線路９２）に接続され、複数の応答器の間での通信が可能になる。
【００３７】
切替信号発生回路９５の一例を図１１に示す。図１１において、１０７は切替信号入力端子、１０８，１０９は４ビットバイナリカウンタ回路、１１０，１１１は３−８ライン・デコーダ回路、１１２，１１３は８回路Ｄタイプ・ラッチ回路である。
【００３８】
切替信号入力端子１０７から制御信号として任意の数のパルスが入力されると、４ビットバイナリカウンタ１０８はパルスの数をカウントし、出力の３ビット目の信号が４ビットバイナリカウンタ１０９のクロック入力ＣＬＫに入力される。４ビットバイナリカウンタ１０８の３ビットの出力ＱＡ，ＱＢ，ＱＣは、それぞれ３−８ラインデコーダ１１０及び８回路Ｄタイプ・ラッチ回路１１２を介して、同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの切替器ａ０〜ａ７を駆動する切替信号になる。この切替信号により、複数の（最大８本まで）同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの切り替えが可能になる。
【００３９】
４ビットバイナリカウンタ１０９は、４ビットバイナリカウンタ１０８の８カウント毎に１カウントずつカウントを増やしてゆく。８ビットバイナリカウンタ１０９の３ビットの出力ＱＡ，ＱＢ，ＱＣは、それぞれ３−８ラインデコーダ１１１及び８回路Ｄタイプ・ラッチ回路１１３を介して、アンテナ群の切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７を駆動する切替信号になる。この切替信号により、複数の（最大８群まで）アンテナ群の切り替えが可能になる。
【００４０】
次に、高周波信号線路制御器７９の別の例を図１２に示す。本例では、電源電圧が高周波信号の一部を整流することによって生成される。図１２において、１００は、高周波信号入出力端子９８からの高周波信号に、制御端子９１からの制御信号を重畳する切替信号重畳回路、１０３は、内部の結合回路によってアンテナ切替回路９６と整流回路１０４へ高周波信号を供給すると同時に、高周波信号に重畳された制御信号を分離する切替信号分離回路である。整流回路１０４は、入力された高周波信号を整流して、切替信号発生回路９５及びアンテナ切替回路９６へ供給する電源電圧を生成する。その他の回路は、図１０に示したのと同様であり、説明を省略する。本例においても、切り替えにより、質問器アンテナの内の一つの同軸励振型モノポールアンテナのみが選択的に高周波信号線路７８に接続され、複数の応答器の間での通信が可能になる。
【００４１】
図１３に、被管理物品を収納管理する複数の棚を持つ収納棚に図９に示した質問器アンテナを適用して成る在庫管理システムによる第６の発明の実施の形態を示す。被管理物品として、ファイルや書籍、ＣＤ（Compact Disk），ＤＶＤ（Digital Versatile Disk）などがあり、質問器による識別結果を用いて管理端末が物品の管理を行なう。
【００４２】
図１３では、棚を２個まで示している。図１３において、１２１，１２８はそれぞれ下の棚の棚板、上の棚の棚板であり、各棚板にアンテナ群が設置され、下の棚板１２１の右端手前に質問器１１５が設置される。質問器１１５に制御線１１４を介して管理端末１３２が接続される。
【００４３】
棚板１２１に設置されるアンテナ群は、基板１２０と、基板１２０に埋め込んだ４個の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ１１９と、その高周波信号切替器１１８と、アンテナ群の高周波信号切替器１１７とを有している。図１３の１２３は、該アンテナ群上に配置した被管理物品で、後述するように被管理物品１２３に短冊形応答器１２２が貼り付けられている。なお、図示していないが、基板１２０に高周波線路と接地導体板が形成されている。
【００４４】
同様に、棚板１２８に設置されるアンテナ群は、基板１２７と、基板１２７に埋め込んだ４個の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ１２５と、その高周波信号切替器１３４と、アンテナ群の高周波信号切替器１２６とを有している。図１３の１２４は、該アンテナ群上に配置した被管理物品で、被管理物品１２４に短冊形応答器１３３が貼り付けられている。なお、図示していないが、基板１２７に高周波線路と接地導体板が形成されている。基板１２７及びその上の棚板の基板の高周波線路は、高周波同軸コネクタ１１６，１３０に接続した高周波同軸ケーブル１２９，１３１により、質問器１１５と接続される。また、本実施形態では、高周波信号線路制御器の切替信号重畳回路の機能が質問器１１５に含まれる。
【００４５】
図１４に被管理物品１２３，１２４の形態を示す。被管理品１２３（１２４）はファイルや書籍、ＣＤ，ＤＶＤなどの形態を成し、短冊形応答器１２２（１３３）は、同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ１１９（１２５）と向き合うように被管理品１２３（１２４）の下面に貼り付けられる。
【００４６】
本実施形態では、高周波信号切替器１１７，１２６によって棚板１２１，１２８に設置したアンテナ群のいずれかが選択され、更に，高周波信号切替器１１８，１３４によって同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ１１９，１２５のいずれか１個が選択される。そして、アンテナ１１９，１２５の設置個数と位置によってどの棚板のどの位置にどの識別番号の被管理品があるかが分かり、より細分化された位置の特定が可能となり、きめの細かい在庫管理が可能になる。
【００４７】
なお、本発明は、その特徴からこのような在庫管理に加え、店舗における商品管理、事務におけるファイル管理、図書・本の管理など広く物品の管理に適用可能である。
【００４８】
ところで、高周波信号切替器１１７，１２６や高周波信号切替器１１８，１３４に切替信号で点灯又は点滅するＬＥＤなどの光学的な表示器を併用すると、データのやりとりを行なうべき短冊形応答器の付けられた被管理品の所在を目視にて確認することが可能になる。
【００４９】
図１５に、そのような光学的な表示器を用いた質問器の第７の本発明の実施の形態を示す。図１５ａ、図１５ｂは、それぞれ平面図、側面図である。質問器アンテナの母体は、図６に示した第２の実施形態のものであり、その高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅの同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ側にそれぞれ表示器１４５〜１４９が接続される。なお、第１〜第３の実施形態の質問器アンテナ、第４〜第６の実施形態におけるアンテナ群のいずれも、表示器１４５〜１４９を接続する質問器アンテナの母体となることは云うまでもない。
【００５０】
表示器１４５〜１４９は、それぞれの高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅが選択されたときに点灯又は点滅し、選択された同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの目視による確認が可能になる。
【００５１】
なお、表示器は、高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅに限らず、図９における高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７や図１３における高周波信号切替器１１７，１２６に設置することも可能である。これらの切替器が選択されたときに点灯又は点滅し、選択されたアンテナ群の目視による確認が可能になる。
【００５２】
次に、表示器を発音器に代えた第８の発明の実施の形態を図１６に示す。図１６ａ、図１６ｂは、それぞれ平面図、側面図である。高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅの同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ側にそれぞれ発音器１６５〜１６９が接続される。
【００５３】
発音器１６５〜１６９は、固有の発振周波数の可聴音を発生する圧電ブザーなどからなり、それぞれの高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅが選択されたときにそれぞれの可聴音を発生し、その音波を耳で確認することにより、選択された同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの目視による確認が可能になる。なお、第１〜第３の実施形態の質問器アンテナ、第４〜第６の実施形態におけるアンテナ群のいずれも、表示器１４５〜１４９を接続する質問器アンテナの母体となることは云うまでもない。
【００５４】
また、発音器は、高周波信号切替器２７ａ〜２７ｅに限らず、図９における高周波信号切替器ｂ０〜ｂ７や図１３における高周波信号切替器１１７，１２６に設置することも可能である。これらの切替器が選択されたときにその音波を確認することにより、選択されたアンテナ群の確認が可能になる。
【００５５】
更に、表示器と発音器を組み合わせることも可能である。表示器と発音器を発音に適した場合と、発光が適している場合とに使い分けることが可能であり、両者を共存させることも可能である。
【００５６】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、アンテナ素子の近傍に集中して強くかつ均一の電磁界エネルギーを確保することが可能になるので、より短い通信距離において多数の応答器との間で情報交換が可能な質問器を実現することができる。本発明の質問器を用いることにより、多数並べた物品を識別する物品管理システム等の移動体識別装置を実現することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】モノポールアンテナの構成を説明するための図。
【図２】モノポールアンテナの電流・電圧分布と電波の放射パターンを説明するための図。
【図３】同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの構成を説明するための図。
【図４】同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの電流分布を説明するための図。
【図５】本発明に係る質問器の第１の発明の実施の形態を説明するための平面図及び側面図。
【図６】本発明の質問器の第２の発明の実施の形態を説明するための平面図及び側面図。
【図７】本発明の質問器の第３の発明の実施の形態を説明するための平面図及び側面図。
【図８】本発明の質問器の第４の発明の実施の形態を説明するための側面図。
【図９】本発明の質問器の第５の発明の実施の形態を説明するための構成図。
【図１０】図９の質問器に用いる高周波信号線路制御器の一例を説明するための構成図。
【図１１】図１０の高周波信号線路制御器に用いる切替信号発生回路の一例を説明するための構成図。
【図１２】図９の質問器に用いる高周波信号線路制御器の別の例を説明するための構成図。
【図１３】本発明の質問器を用いた在庫管理システムによる第６の発明の実施の形態を説明するための斜視図。
【図１４】図１３の発明の実施の形態における被管理品を説明するための斜視図。
【図１５】本発明の質問器の第７の発明の実施の形態を説明するための平面図及び側面図。
【図１６】本発明の質問器の第８の発明の実施の形態を説明するための平面図及び側面図。
【符号の説明】
１…モノポールアンテナ、２…同軸ケーブルの外導体、６，１６，１１９，１２５…同軸励振型モノポールアンテナ、１７，１１７，１１８，１２６，１３４…高周波信号切替器、１８…接地導体板、１９…誘電体板、１１０…応答器群、１１１…高周波信号線路、１１３…質問器本体、１２０，１２７…基板、１２２，１３３…応答器、１２３，１２４…被管理品、１２９，１３１…高周波同軸線路、１３２…管理端末。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an interrogator for exchanging information with a responder using a high frequency signal in a microwave band, and more particularly to an interrogator having an antenna suitable for exchanging high frequency signals with many responders.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The mobile object identification device (wireless identification system) constitutes a system composed of an interrogator and a plurality of responders corresponding to the interrogator. The interrogator has a microwave band (quasi-microwave) in a responder having no battery. (Including the high-frequency signal) from the antenna to exchange information with the responder. The transponder receives a high-frequency signal from the interrogator with a small antenna, rectifies this to obtain a DC power supply, takes out information such as a clock and data, and according to the data, stores memory information from the small antenna. Return to the interrogator.
[0003]
By exchanging information, for example, different identification numbers are identified for each responder. In that case, if the responder is attached to something like a load, a system for identifying the load on the belt conveyor without human intervention is realized (for example, see International Publication No. WO98 / 21691).
[0004]
Here, the communication distance in which information can be exchanged between the interrogator and the responder is determined by the power of the transmission signal generated by the interrogator and the antenna when the capacity, shape, and size of the responder are constant. For example, if the antenna is a phased array antenna configured by combining a number of antenna elements, the communication distance can be increased, and if the antenna is a single element antenna, the communication range is limited to the vicinity of the antenna, etc. The communication area is limited by the structure of the interrogator antenna. For example, in an example of a device using a transponder for a ticket gate, a traveling wave type antenna is used, and one transponder is identified one by one (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-332174).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When it is required to secure communication with as many responders as possible with a single interrogator, an antenna configuration of an interrogator that can arrange a large number of responders in the communication area is required.
[0006]
However, in frequency bands such as the quasi-microwave band, the strength of radio waves often appears due to phase synthesis in the space of radio waves emitted from the interrogator and radio waves emitted from the responder. It is difficult to realize the world. Further, when a plurality of responders are arranged close to each other, the radiation characteristics are disturbed due to mutual coupling between the antennas, and the antenna characteristics deteriorate, making it difficult to obtain the power required by the responders.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an interrogator equipped with an antenna that enables a large number of responders to be arranged at a short communication distance by concentrating in the vicinity of an antenna element and securing a strong and uniform electromagnetic field energy, and the interrogator. The object is to provide an article management system using.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is to provide a monopole (one rod-shaped conductor) having a quarter wavelength (space wavelength) continuous with the core conductor of the coaxial cable at one end of the coaxial cable, It is possible to effectively solve the problem by providing the interrogator with a coaxial excitation type monopole antenna that is provided with a feeding point at the end of the antenna and grounded at the feeding point. If an antenna having such a structure is employed, an electromagnetic field is generated in the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. Therefore, when the coaxial cable portion is made several wavelengths long, the portion functions as an antenna. This is because a plurality of transponders can be arranged in a region extending several wavelengths from the open end of the pole antenna.
[0009]
First, general characteristics of the coaxially excited monopole antenna will be described. FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a coaxially excited monopole antenna. The antenna is constituted by a monopole obtained by extending the core conductor 1 from the open end of the coaxial cable having the core conductor 1, the dielectric 3 and the outer conductor 2 by about 1/4 of the spatial wavelength. Excited. An ideally infinite ground plane 4 is formed perpendicular to the monopole antenna including the open end.
[0010]
The radio wave generated from the monopole antenna having such a configuration has a voltage distribution V, a current distribution C1, and a radiation pattern P between the monopole 1 and the ground plane 4, as shown in FIG. The radiation pattern P is generated at a symmetrical position of the monopole antenna 1.
[0011]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when grounding is limited by grounding at the feeding point 14, the ground plane moves to the feeding point 14, and the voltage distribution and current distribution on the antenna change. A signal from the signal source 5 is transmitted by a coaxial cable, and resonates at the frequency of the signal source at the monopole 1 portion to radiate a radio wave. At this time, voltage or current is excited in the outer conductor 2 of the coaxial cable, and a current distribution C2 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed. FIG. 4 is an equivalent representation of the antenna of FIG. In the monopole antenna shown in FIG. 1, only a portion corresponding to a quarter wavelength functions as an antenna. However, in the coaxial-excitation monopole antenna shown in FIG. Radio waves are emitted from 2 as well. That is, the whole of the monopole portion and the coaxial cable portion becomes an antenna. In the present invention, the coaxially excited monopole antenna shown in FIG. 3 is employed.
[0012]
In this way, the coaxially excited monopole antenna shown in FIG. 3 concentrates in the vicinity of the monopole portion and the coaxial cable portion to ensure strong and uniform electromagnetic field energy. A large number of responders can be arranged in the area. That is, even if the antenna characteristics of the transponder are deteriorated or there is a difference in the strength of the electromagnetic field distribution, a strong electromagnetic field can be obtained near the antenna element. It becomes possible to secure the required electromagnetic energy.
[0013]
Since the radio wave radiated by the antenna shown in FIG. 3 is radiated in the entire coaxial direction, when the antenna is used in the microwave band, a thin dielectric layer (film or the like) of several mm or less is used. It is effective that the radio wave radiated to the ground conductor plate side is reflected by the ground conductor plate and radiated to the opposite side of the ground conductor plate. is there. As a result, the electromagnetic field energy supplied to the responder can be increased.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an interrogator according to the present invention and an article management system using the interrogator will be described in more detail with reference to some embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
[0015]
A first interrogator that uses a plurality of coaxially-excited monopole antennas switched by a switcher, and arranges a plurality of responders in the vicinity of one antenna to process a large number of responders as a whole. An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5a and 5b are a plan view and a side view, respectively. In FIG. 5, 16a to 16e are coaxial excitation type monopole antennas shown in FIG. 3, 113 is an interrogator body, 111 is a high frequency signal from the interrogator body 113 via the input / output terminal 112, and is supplied to the antennas 16a to 16e. The high-frequency signal lines 17 a to 17 e are high-frequency signal switchers for switching the connection between each antenna and the high-frequency signal line 111. The outer conductor of each antenna is grounded at the feeding point. Further, 19 is a dielectric plate for embedding and fixing the antennas 16a to 16e, and 18 is a ground conductor plate attached to the back surface of the dielectric plate 19. With the above structure, an interrogator antenna provided in the interrogator body 113 is formed.
[0016]
Further, reference numeral 110 in FIG. 5 denotes a responder group arranged on the surface of the dielectric plate 19 in close proximity to the antennas 16a to 16e. Each responder has a long and narrow rectangular shape, and is actually used by being attached to, for example, the side of an article to be managed in stock. However, in FIG. It shows how the strip-shaped transponders are placed when all are arranged.
[0017]
Each rectangular transponder is equipped with a coiled antenna and an IC chip. The IC chip has a rectifier circuit that rectifies a high-frequency signal from an antenna to generate a DC voltage, a receiving circuit that extracts information such as a clock and data from the high-frequency signal, a memory that records information such as its own identification number, and reception A transmission circuit that transmits information in the memory using the received high-frequency signal according to the data is included.
[0018]
The interrogator main body 113 has a transmission circuit that modulates data for interrogation into a high frequency signal and a reception circuit that receives the transmission signal from the responder and extracts information.
[0019]
The antennas 16a to 16e are arranged in the dielectric plate 19, and the distance is maintained so as not to be in direct electrical and mechanical contact with the responder group 110.
[0020]
The ground conductor plate 18 is placed close to the antennas 16a to 16e, and reflects the radio wave from the antenna radiated to the side opposite to the side where the responder group 110 is disposed to the responder group 110 side to supply power. Act to enhance.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 5, the antennas 16 a to 16 e are arranged with an angle with respect to the dielectric plate 19. By having such an angle, when the antenna of each responder has a linearly polarized wave, the linearly polarized wave of the responder antenna with respect to the vibration plane (longitudinal direction of the antenna) of the antennas 16a to 16e. As the vibration plane approaches, power used for high-frequency signal exchange can be further increased.
[0022]
When the antenna of each transponder has a linearly polarized vibrating surface in the longitudinal direction of the strip, make the vibrating surface coincide with the vibrating surface in the longitudinal direction of the coaxial excitation type monopole antenna. Can exchange signals. However, since the number of responders that can communicate with one coaxial excitation type monopole antenna is reduced, the arrangement of the coaxial excitation type monopole antennas is given an angle as shown in FIG. Even if there is a decrease in efficiency, it is effective to increase the number of responders.
[0023]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize an interrogator including an antenna that enables a large number of responders to be arranged.
[0024]
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the second invention in which coaxial excitation type monopole antennas are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the dielectric plate. 6a and 6b are a plan view and a side view, respectively. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 26 a to 26 e denote coaxial excitation type monopole antennas arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the dielectric plate 29. Other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the interrogator antenna is formed by the antennas 26a to 26e, the high frequency signal switching devices 27a to 27e, the high frequency signal line 211, the high frequency signal input / output terminal 212, and the ground conductor plate 28, and the responder group 210 is connected to the antennas 26a to 26e. Placed close together. The interrogator body is not shown.
[0025]
In the second embodiment, the antennas 26a to 26e are arranged so as to have a vibration surface in a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction of the antenna of the rectangular transponder. When the vibration directions of the transponder and the coaxial excitation antenna are orthogonal, the impedance coupling between the coaxial excitation antenna and the transponder antenna is weakened, and the supplied power is weakened. By optimizing the distance, an interrogator having a coaxially excited antenna capable of communicating with many responders can be realized.
[0026]
FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the third invention in which the coaxial excitation type antenna is arranged so that the high-frequency signal line for power distribution is shortened. 7a and 7b are a plan view and a side view, respectively. By shortening the high-frequency signal line, loss of the generated high-frequency signal can be reduced.
[0027]
In FIG. 7, 36a to 36e are coaxial excitation type monopole antennas that are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the dielectric plate 39, and 311 is a high-frequency signal that sends a high-frequency signal to each of the antennas arranged in that way. A line 312 is a high-frequency signal input / output terminal disposed substantially at the center of the high-frequency signal line 311. Other structures are the same as those of the second embodiment. That is, an interrogator antenna is formed by the antennas 36a to 36e, the high frequency signal switching units 37a to 37e, the high frequency signal line 311, the high frequency signal input / output terminal 312 and the ground conductor plate 38, and the responder group 310 is connected to the antennas 36a to 36e. Placed close together. The interrogator body is not shown.
[0028]
In the third embodiment, by arranging the antennas 36a to 36e in different directions, the length of the high-frequency signal line 311 can be shortened to reduce the loss of the high-frequency signal generated in the high-frequency signal line, and at the same time, There is an advantage that the signal switchers 37a and 37b and 37c and 37d can be configured in the same IC package, respectively.
[0029]
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the fourth invention configured by connecting the interrogator antennas of the first, second or third embodiment in parallel. In FIG. 8, 65, 66, and 67 are interrogator antennas shown in any of FIGS. 5 to 7 (hereinafter referred to as “antenna group”), 68 is a high-frequency signal line, and 69 is a main line. It is a high frequency signal input / output terminal of the interrogator antenna of the embodiment. In the interrogator antenna of this embodiment, the number of responders that can be processed can be further increased by using a plurality of antenna groups shown in any of FIGS.
[0030]
Increasing the number of parallel connections increases the length of the high-frequency signal line 68 and increases the high-frequency loss. However, it is acceptable if the output power of the high-frequency signal of the interrogator body is large or the reception sensitivity of each responder is high. The possible high-frequency loss becomes large, and the number of parallel connections can be further increased without being limited to three in FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the fifth invention in which a high-frequency signal switch is provided for each antenna group. 9, 70 to 77 are antenna groups shown in any of FIGS. 5 to 7, ANTk0 to ANTk7 (k = 0 to 7) are coaxial excitation type monopole antennas of the antenna group 7k, and a0 to a7. Is a high frequency signal switch provided in each coaxial excitation type monopole antenna, b0 to b7 is a high frequency signal switch provided in each of the antenna groups 70 to 77, and 78 is a high frequency signal switch provided to the high frequency signal switch b0 to b7. A high-frequency signal line to be supplied, 79 is a high-frequency signal line controller for controlling connection / disconnection of the high-frequency signal switchers a0 to a7 and the high-frequency signal switchers b0 to b7, and 80 is a high-frequency signal of the interrogator antenna of this embodiment. Indicates input / output terminals.
[0032]
In the interrogator antenna of this embodiment, a total of 64 coaxially excited monopole antennas are used, and one of them is selected by the operations of the high-frequency signal switchers a0 to a7 and the high-frequency signal switchers b0 to b7. The high frequency signal line 78 is connected.
[0033]
In this embodiment, since each antenna group includes a high-frequency signal switching device, the load on the interrogator body is reduced compared to the case of the fourth embodiment, and a large number of antenna groups can be provided. Therefore, the number of responders that can be processed can be greatly increased.
[0034]
An example of the high-frequency signal line controller 79 is shown in FIG. Since the antenna switching circuit serving as each high-frequency signal switching device and its peripheral circuits are placed near the antenna, the switching control signal and the power supply voltage for driving each circuit are connected to the high-frequency signal on one high-frequency signal line. It is desirable to be sent simultaneously. The controller 79 in FIG. 10 is configured based on such a viewpoint.
[0035]
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 98 denotes a switching signal superimposing circuit that superimposes a DC voltage from the power supply terminal 90 and a control signal from the control terminal 91 on a high frequency signal from the high frequency signal input / output terminal 98, and 92 is a transmission line. Further, 93 is a switching signal separation circuit that separates the high-frequency signal, the control signal, and the power supply voltage from the signal sent from the transmission line 92, and 94 is an unnecessary high-frequency component from the power supply voltage separated by the switching signal separation circuit 93. , A low-pass filter 95, and a switching signal generation circuit 96 that generates switching signals to the high-frequency signal switchers a0 to a7 and the high-frequency signal switchers b0 to b7 based on the control signal separated by the switching signal separation circuit 93. These are antenna switching circuits that become switching devices a0 to a7 and b0 to b7.
[0036]
The power supply voltage to the switching signal generation circuit 95 and the antenna switching circuit 96 is supplied from a low pass filter 94. Input / output of the high frequency signal of the antenna to be switched is performed via the high frequency signal input / output terminal 97. By switching, only one coaxial excitation type monopole antenna among the interrogator antennas is selectively connected to the high-frequency signal line 78 (transmission line 92), and communication between a plurality of responders becomes possible.
[0037]
An example of the switching signal generation circuit 95 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, 107 is a switching signal input terminal, 108 and 109 are 4-bit binary counter circuits, 110 and 111 are 3-8 line decoder circuits, and 112 and 113 are 8 circuit D type latch circuits.
[0038]
When an arbitrary number of pulses are input as a control signal from the switching signal input terminal 107, the 4-bit binary counter 108 counts the number of pulses, and the output third bit signal is the clock input CLK of the 4-bit binary counter 109. Is input. The 3-bit outputs QA, QB, and QC of the 4-bit binary counter 108 are connected to the coaxial excitation type monopole antenna switches a0 to a7 via the 3-8 line decoder 110 and the 8 circuit D type latch circuit 112, respectively. It becomes a switching signal to drive. By this switching signal, a plurality of (up to eight) coaxial excitation type monopole antennas can be switched.
[0039]
The 4-bit binary counter 109 increases the count by 1 every 8 counts of the 4-bit binary counter 108. The 3-bit outputs QA, QB, and QC of the 8-bit binary counter 109 are switching signals for driving the antenna group switches b0 to b7 via the 3-8 line decoder 111 and the 8-circuit D-type latch circuit 113, respectively. become. With this switching signal, a plurality of antenna groups (up to a maximum of 8 groups) can be switched.
[0040]
Next, another example of the high-frequency signal line controller 79 is shown in FIG. In this example, the power supply voltage is generated by rectifying a part of the high-frequency signal. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 100 denotes a switching signal superimposing circuit that superimposes a control signal from the control terminal 91 on a high frequency signal from the high frequency signal input / output terminal 98, and 103 denotes an antenna switching circuit 96 and a rectifier circuit 104 by an internal coupling circuit. And a switching signal separation circuit for separating a control signal superimposed on the high-frequency signal at the same time as supplying a high-frequency signal to the device. The rectifier circuit 104 rectifies the input high-frequency signal and generates a power supply voltage to be supplied to the switching signal generation circuit 95 and the antenna switching circuit 96. The other circuits are the same as those shown in FIG. Also in this example, by switching, only one coaxial excitation type monopole antenna among the interrogator antennas is selectively connected to the high-frequency signal line 78, and communication between a plurality of responders becomes possible.
[0041]
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a sixth invention by an inventory management system in which the interrogator antenna shown in FIG. 9 is applied to a storage shelf having a plurality of shelves for storing and managing managed articles. The managed article includes a file, a book, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc., and the management terminal manages the article using the identification result by the interrogator.
[0042]
FIG. 13 shows up to two shelves. In FIG. 13, reference numerals 121 and 128 denote a shelf plate of the lower shelf and a shelf plate of the upper shelf, respectively, an antenna group is installed on each shelf plate, and an interrogator 115 is installed in front of the right end of the lower shelf plate 121. The A management terminal 132 is connected to the interrogator 115 via the control line 114.
[0043]
The antenna group installed on the shelf board 121 includes a board 120, four coaxial excitation type monopole antennas 119 embedded in the board 120, a high-frequency signal switch 118 thereof, and a high-frequency signal switch 117 of the antenna group. Have. Reference numeral 123 in FIG. 13 denotes a managed article arranged on the antenna group, and a strip-shaped responder 122 is attached to the managed article 123 as will be described later. Although not shown, a high-frequency line and a ground conductor plate are formed on the substrate 120.
[0044]
Similarly, the antenna group installed on the shelf board 128 includes a board 127, four coaxial excitation type monopole antennas 125 embedded in the board 127, a high-frequency signal switching unit 134 thereof, and a high-frequency signal switching unit of the antenna group. 126. Reference numeral 124 in FIG. 13 denotes a managed article arranged on the antenna group, and a strip-shaped transponder 133 is attached to the managed article 124. Although not shown, a high frequency line and a ground conductor plate are formed on the substrate 127. The high frequency lines of the board 127 and the board of the shelf on the board 127 are connected to the interrogator 115 by high frequency coaxial cables 129 and 131 connected to the high frequency coaxial connectors 116 and 130. In the present embodiment, the interrogator 115 includes the function of the switching signal superimposing circuit of the high-frequency signal line controller.
[0045]
FIG. 14 shows the forms of the managed articles 123 and 124. The managed product 123 (124) is in the form of a file, a book, a CD, a DVD, etc., and the strip-shaped transponder 122 (133) is faced to the coaxial excitation type monopole antenna 119 (125). Affixed to the lower surface of (124).
[0046]
In the present embodiment, one of the antenna groups installed on the shelf plates 121 and 128 is selected by the high-frequency signal switching units 117 and 126, and the coaxial excitation type monopole antennas 119 and 125 are further selected by the high-frequency signal switching units 118 and 134. Any one is selected. The number and position of the antennas 119 and 125 can be used to determine which part of which shelf is to be managed and which identification number is to be managed, and it is possible to specify a more subdivided position for fine inventory management. It becomes possible.
[0047]
In addition to the inventory management as described above, the present invention is widely applicable to article management such as merchandise management in stores, file management in office work, book / book management.
[0048]
By the way, when a high-frequency signal switching device 117, 126 or high-frequency signal switching device 118, 134 is used together with an optical display such as an LED that lights or blinks in response to a switching signal, a strip-shaped transponder to exchange data is attached. It is possible to visually confirm the location of the managed product.
[0049]
FIG. 15 shows a seventh embodiment of the interrogator using such an optical display. 15a and 15b are a plan view and a side view, respectively. The base of the interrogator antenna is that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and displays 145 to 149 are connected to the coaxial excitation type monopole antenna side of the high-frequency signal switching units 27a to 27e, respectively. In addition, it goes without saying that both the interrogator antenna of the first to third embodiments and the antenna group in the fourth to sixth embodiments serve as a matrix of the interrogator antenna to which the indicators 145 to 149 are connected. Absent.
[0050]
The indicators 145 to 149 are turned on or blinked when the high-frequency signal switchers 27a to 27e are selected, and the selected coaxially excited monopole antenna can be visually confirmed.
[0051]
The display is not limited to the high-frequency signal switchers 27a to 27e, but can be installed in the high-frequency signal switchers b0 to b7 in FIG. 9 or the high-frequency signal switchers 117 and 126 in FIG. When these switchers are selected, they turn on or blink, and the selected antenna group can be visually confirmed.
[0052]
Next, FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the eighth invention in which the display is replaced with a sound generator. 16a and 16b are a plan view and a side view, respectively. Sound generators 165 to 169 are connected to the coaxial excitation type monopole antenna side of the high-frequency signal switching units 27a to 27e, respectively.
[0053]
The sound generators 165 to 169 are composed of a piezoelectric buzzer that generates an audible sound having a specific oscillation frequency. When the high-frequency signal switchers 27a to 27e are selected, the sound generators 165 to 169 generate the audible sounds and listen to the sound waves. In this way, it is possible to visually confirm the selected coaxial excitation type monopole antenna. In addition, it goes without saying that both the interrogator antenna of the first to third embodiments and the antenna group in the fourth to sixth embodiments serve as a matrix of the interrogator antenna to which the indicators 145 to 149 are connected. Absent.
[0054]
Further, the sound generator is not limited to the high-frequency signal switchers 27a to 27e, but can be installed in the high-frequency signal switchers b0 to b7 in FIG. 9 or the high-frequency signal switchers 117 and 126 in FIG. By checking the sound wave when these switches are selected, the selected antenna group can be confirmed.
[0055]
Furthermore, it is possible to combine a display and a sound generator. It is possible to use the display device and the sound generator appropriately for sound generation and for the case where light emission is suitable, and both can coexist.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a strong and uniform electromagnetic field energy can be secured in the vicinity of the antenna element, so that it is possible to exchange information with a large number of responders over a shorter communication distance. Can be realized. By using the interrogator of the present invention, it is possible to realize a moving body identification device such as an article management system for identifying a large number of articles arranged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a monopole antenna.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a current / voltage distribution and a radio wave radiation pattern of a monopole antenna.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a coaxially excited monopole antenna.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a current distribution of a coaxially excited monopole antenna.
5A and 5B are a plan view and a side view for explaining the first embodiment of the interrogator according to the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plan view and a side view for explaining an embodiment of the second invention of the interrogator of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view for explaining an embodiment of a third invention of an interrogator according to the invention. FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining the fourth embodiment of the interrogator of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a fifth invention of an interrogator according to the present invention;
10 is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of a high-frequency signal line controller used in the interrogator of FIG. 9;
11 is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of a switching signal generation circuit used in the high-frequency signal line controller of FIG. 10;
12 is a configuration diagram for explaining another example of a high-frequency signal line controller used in the interrogator of FIG. 9. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining an embodiment of a sixth invention by an inventory management system using an interrogator according to the present invention.
14 is a perspective view for explaining a managed product in the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 13; FIG.
FIG. 15 is a plan view and a side view for explaining an embodiment of a seventh invention of an interrogator according to the present invention.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are a plan view and a side view for explaining an eighth embodiment of the interrogator of the invention. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Monopole antenna, 2 ... Outer conductor of coaxial cable, 6, 16, 119, 125 ... Coaxial excitation type monopole antenna, 17, 117, 118, 126, 134 ... High frequency signal switcher, 18 ... Grounding conductor plate, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Dielectric board, 110 ... Response machine group, 111 ... High frequency signal track, 113 ... Interrogator main body, 120, 127 ... Substrate, 122, 133 ... Response machine, 123, 124 ... Managed article, 129, 131 ... High frequency Coaxial line, 132 ... management terminal.

Claims (1)

複数の物品の各々の面に設けた平面形状を有する短冊状の応答器と、マイクロ波帯を用いて無線により該複数の応答器と情報交換を行なう質問器と、情報交換により得た該質問器からの情報を用いて上記複数の物品の管理を行なう管理端末とを有し、A strip-shaped responder having a planar shape provided on each surface of a plurality of articles, an interrogator for exchanging information with the plurality of responders wirelessly using a microwave band, and the question obtained by exchanging information A management terminal for managing the plurality of articles using information from the vessel,
該質問器は、該複数の応答器と情報交換を行なうためのアンテナとして複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナを備え、更に、該複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナの前記応答器が配置される面とは反対側の面に、該複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナに近接して配置される接地導体板と、該複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナのいずれか１個を選択する高周波信号切替器とを備えており、前記複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナに近接して該応答器が配置され、The interrogator includes a plurality of coaxially excited monopole antennas as antennas for exchanging information with the plurality of responders, and a surface on which the responders of the plurality of coaxially excited monopole antennas are disposed. A grounding conductor plate disposed in proximity to the plurality of coaxial excitation type monopole antennas on a surface opposite to the surface, and a high-frequency signal switching unit that selects one of the plurality of coaxial excitation type monopole antennas And the responder is disposed in proximity to the plurality of coaxially excited monopole antennas,
前記複数の同軸励振型モノポールアンテナは、複数のアンテナ群に分割され、該複数のアンテナ群に並列に、該アンテナ群のいずれか１群を選択する別の高周波信号切替器を介して質問器からの高周波信号が供給され、The plurality of coaxially-excited monopole antennas are divided into a plurality of antenna groups, and in parallel with the plurality of antenna groups, an interrogator via another high-frequency signal switching unit that selects any one of the antenna groups. A high frequency signal from
前記高周波信号切替器及び前記別の高周波信号切替器と同期して動作する発音器を該切替器及び別の切替器と組み合わせて備えていることを特徴とする物品管理システム。An article management system comprising a sound generator that operates in synchronization with the high-frequency signal switch and the another high-frequency signal switch in combination with the switch and another switch.
JP2001152027A 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Article management system using interrogator Expired - Fee Related JP3927378B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

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JP2001152027A JP3927378B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Article management system using interrogator
US09/942,723 US7164380B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2001-08-31 Interrogator and goods management system adopting the same

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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